Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-07-16
Ind WITH MATsHLESS CLIMATE.
Its Wealth and Variety of Fruit
Productions and UnexceIled
Quality.
MARVELLOUS FERTILITY OF SOIL
AND AGRICULTURAL GROWTHS.
Some Early History - Description of
Princely Orchards and Vineyards
Large Profits from Small In
vestments-Ample Oppor-
tunities for Capitalists.


In the loops or convolutions Of the foot
hills of the Coast Range there are several
hidden and sheltered valleys, which form
what is widely known as ''The : Vaca Dis
trict." The valleys comprising this dis
trict are Laguinta, Vaca, Peasants,
Peaceful Glen and the upper Putah.
These are on the eastern slope of the
Coast Range, which here rises to an alti-
tude of 600 feet and forms great pro-
tective barrier against the coast winds.
Between this mountain wall and the loops
Of the foothills these valleys are nestled
from all sweeping winds To favored
Typographical location, the Naca district
owes it exceptional advantages as a horti-
cultural region. For picturesque beauty
Of surroundings, fertility and depth of
soil, mildness and equability of climate,
absence of frosts, early maturity of pro-
ducts without irrigation, and for the won
derful development of fruit and grape
growing, the Vaca district leads not only
every other portion of the Pacific coast,
but also any other region of the United
States. The truthful history of its de-
velopment reads like chapter of romance.
The wealth accumulated by its individual
fruit-growers in a single decade rivals the
instances of great fortunes made by lucky
miners in the gold era of this State.
The Vaca district has location, with
reference to the markets of the State, Of
great advantage. From San Francisco
Oakland, Alameda and Berkeley, having a
population of 100000, it is only two hours
run by rail, and from Sacramento, the
Capital of the State, it is only thirty five
miles Within radius of sixty miles
there are more than 100000 people, who,
at certain seasons Of the year, consume the
early fruits and vegetables of this district.
THE SCENERY
OF the various valleys that make up the
Vaca district is unsurpassed for varied and
picturesque beauty. On the west is the
Coast Range, with its rounded domes that
overlook the ocean on the one side and
the Sacramento valley on the other The
eastern slope of this range has many long,
deep canyons, narrow valleys and warm
sunny slopes, covered with oak growths
and carpeted with wild oats, native clovers
and other indigenous grasses.
THE 'USvARYING LIGHTS AND SHADOWS
That play upon these canyons, valleys and
slopes, with the many hues and tints Of
the green verdure, present Il picture OF
great beauty. On the east are the low
foothill ridges, covered with tree growths,
grasses and flowers. Through these valleys
run small streams of clear water, bordered
by oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, willows
alders, and white naples Sweetbriars
bloom close TO the banks, and the Wild
grapevine hangs its graceful curtains over
its favored trees. Where the plow OF the
horticultural has not been on the hill
sides, luxuriant growths of wild oats. alter
nately green or gold, according to season.
wave in rippling light and shade with
every breeze. Speaking of this district
a writer .truthfully says: "Of these
valleys, when the
vERDURE OF THE EARLY SPRING
Is prodigally gemmed with wild blossoms
of the most brilliant colors, or when the
rich gold of their summer fields, islanded
with the clumps of evergreen oaks, is con-
trasted with the purple or blue mountains,
and the sky at morning or evening
brightens or fades through tints of amber
and amethyst, sometimes the splendor OF
the setting sun seems to penetrate the
dark substance of the solid hills, and give
them transparent glow, as if they yet
burned with the heat of their thrusting up.
AS the morning light comes in the
spring and summer the trees are vocal with
linnets, while larss sing in the fields, and
chanticleer sounds his loud notes. As day
goes il is pleasant to hear the birds call
ing to repose, the wild doves cooling, the
quails fondly signaling their mates, the
owl adding his solemn note to the vespers
of the feathered tribe" This is a picture
of the Naca district as it was before the
hands of the orchardist and viDeyardist
had changed it, Its presents
\ FAR MORE BEAUTIFUL PICTURE NOW
Those hands have not changed the great
mountains and their bright verdure; they
have not disturbed the clear streams that
flow down from canyon and gorge through
the sequestered and sheltered valley, nor
their borderings of green trees, primroSes
and vines; but they have brought flowers
and fruits from every country and planted
them in all the valleys and on the lower
hill slopes. The vines of all climes: the
orange, lemon and citron of the semi
tropics; the pomegranate of the Orient ;
the date Of Asia and Africa, and the
luscious fruits of the cool north and the
warm south have all been brought here,
and they fill the valleys and cover the
hillsides No pen or brush can portray it
as it is to-day. To know its beauties it
must be seen.